The stage is set for 'Pagtaltal sa Guimaras' on Good Friday
Simple dreams ... simple wishes.
It all started with a very meaningful yet minute concept of how the Lenten season be celebrated with more reverence and holy ambiance. Today, it has become a tourist attraction in the Municipality of Jordan, Province of Guimaras.
The idea of staging the annual "Ang Pagtaltal sa Jordan" was brought to life 32 years ago by a local folk named Aquilino Secusana, fondly called "Quiling" who presented the idea to the then parish priest, Rev. Fr. Melecio Rubrico. The latter was willing to support the activity.
The mayor at that time was Luis Herrera.
The play was presented as a pantomime by few chosen characters held at what they called the hilly side of Teodoro, Rizal, Jordan Guimaras.
Max Michael Fernandez, radio commentator of DYBW, Iloilo City, helped in writing the script. The play evolved on the story of Christ's Passion and Death on the Cross inspired by the Seven Last Words.
It was in 1980 when Boy Robles volunteered to direct the play, thus rewriting the script and utilized the people of Jordan to participate in the play. What was innovating that time was the drive of the people to put significance to the sufferings of Christ making it their oath to be part of the plat. Good Friday came and "Ang Pagtaltal sa Jordan" was born in Guimaras.
A drama on stage was held at the municipal ground for three hours and moved to the hillside near the parish church of Saint John the Baptist where Christ was crucified. Arturo Segobre was the first local folk to portray the role of Jesus Christ for almost 20 years followed by Luis Herrera Jr, Rodrigo Gauzon and finally Gerardo Anam Robles up to the present.
Patterned after the famous Passion Play of Oberammergau, West Germany, the play shows the story of Christ's Passion, beginning with the entry into Jerusalem and ending with the Death of Christ on the Cross.
In 1986 when it became a foundation, Emil Baldonado, with the help of Mariza Descutido, directed the play. The cast of characters that came from all walks of life were about 160 members, mostly youths and children who voluntarily devoted their time for this grand religious event.
It was adopted by the Local Government of Jordan and the Provincial Government of Guimaras in 1995, thus the name "Ang Pagtaltal sa Jordan" was changed to 'Ang Pagtaltal sa Guimaras". It was on that same year when Eugene de Pablo, stage director from the University of Iloilo, was hired to direct the said stage play, which was then held for the first time at the municipal gym of Jordan.
With the help of the Cultural Center of the Philippines through their outreach program, some trainings and workshops were given not only to the members but to the youths and children who want to develop their skills in acting and stage production. In 1996 to the present, Mariza Descutido became the project coordinator and director of the stage play with the assistance of Deo Estotologa, an elementary grade school teacher from Hoskyn Elementary School.
For many years, inspite of all the hard work in the preparations and in gathering the characters during rehearsals, these did not discourage the people involved in the activity but they truly kept the solemn promise, a sign of loyalty and tradition to present again the life and sufferings of our Lord.
Now, with the full support of the present administration of Mayor Felipe Hilan Nava, the presentation has become one of the grand events that made Guimaras known in the international community. Even before it became a full-pledged province in 1992, the yearly presentation of "Ang Pagtaltal sa Jordan, Province of Guimaras" held every Good Friday of the year, this Lenten presentation touched the hearts of those who witnessed the stage play and also strengthened our Christian faith.